Configure Dell computers to restart after a power outage


Configure Dell computers to restart after a power outage

Introduction

Dell computers can be configured via their firmware to:

  1. always power on after A/C power is restored,
  2. return to the state they were in prior to a power outage (power on, if they were on or stay off if they were off when power was lost),
  3. power on at a particular time of day if turned off.

Dell computers can use the Dell Command | Configure (previously known as the CCTK) to manage firmware settings. Downloads and documentation can be found on the Dell website.

The current version of Dell Command | Configure (4.2.1) supports systems with WMI-ACPI support (newer than 2016). Older systems may require the version 3.3 client.

Instructions

To configure the system to start up automatically every time power is restored:
cctk.exe --ValSetupPwd={CurrentBIOSSetupPassword} --AcPwrRcvry=on

To configure a system to return to the state it was in when power was lost:
cctk.exe --ValSetupPwd={CurrentBIOSSetupPassword} --AcPwrRcvry=last

To configure a system to power on (if off) every morning at 8 a.m.:
cctk.exe --ValSetupPwd={CurrentBIOSSetupPassword} --AutoOn=Everyday --AutoOnHr=8 --AutoOnMn=0

To configure a system to power on (if off) weekday mornings at 8:15 a.m.:
cctk.exe --ValSetupPwd={CurrentBIOSSetupPassword} --AutoOn=SelectDays:Mon,Tue,Wed,Thu,Fri --AutoOnHr=8 --AutoOnMn=15